What is the purpose of leading and lagging indicators in PSM?

The purpose of leading and lagging indicators in Process Safety Management (PSM) is to evaluate both future and past safety performance. Leading indicators are proactive measures that can predict future safety trends by assessing risk and the effectiveness of safety processes before incidents occur. They provide insights into how well safety systems are functioning and whether the measures in place are effective in preventing potential issues.

On the other hand, lagging indicators focus on past safety performance by analyzing data from incidents that have already occurred, such as accidents, injuries, or near-misses. By looking at this historical data, organizations can identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement, which helps in formulating strategies to enhance safety and prevent future occurrences.

Using both types of indicators provides a comprehensive view of the safety performance within an organization, enabling them to create an effective safety culture and continually improve their PSM processes. This dual approach ensures that organizations can both react to past incidents and proactively work to prevent future risks, ultimately leading to enhanced safety and reliability in operations.